With some homes, foundation repair problems are very obvious. You may see the damage just by looking at the lower part of the house. There may be a big chunk of foundation cracked and separated from the rest. It may even show signs of being lower in the ground than the rest of the foundation. However, in other cases the damage on the foundation might not be noticeable in this way, but there may be other signs that can let you know the foundation needs to be repaired. Read more here to become better educated on foundations and to familiarize yourself with some of the signs of foundation damage. 

Understand more about your home's foundation

The foundation is a concrete slab that spans the area of your home and offers it a solid and level "foundation" on which to rest upon. The foundation is there to prevent the home from sinking into the ground which would eventually lead to the home becoming so unstable it wouldn't be safe to live in. All areas of the home depend on the foundation including the frame, the roof, the plumbing system, the electrical system, the doors, the windows, and every other part of the home. 

Know how foundation problems happen

It's natural for the soil to change over time, and this includes the soil that is under your home's foundation. Of course, there are some factors that can cause the soil under the foundation of certain homes to change more than others. The location of a home has a lot to do with this. Homes that are in areas with excessive heat can end up with soil shrinkage and homes in areas with a lot of rain can end up with issues from both the soil swelling and the soil washing away. When there are changes in the soil, it can cause movement in the foundation. Any other shift can also lead to foundation damage, such as a shift in the ground that's caused by an earthquake. 

Know signs of foundation issues

Aside from seeing damage in the foundation, you may also see signs of damage in other areas of the house. The floor may look and/or feel uneven in some areas. There may be cracks in the walls, especially around window or door frames where the corners are. There may also be cracks on the walls in other areas. There can be separations in the brick siding or in the stucco. The chimney may look like it is crooked. The doors may start to stick or the windows may be harder to close than they used to be. 

If you notice any of these things or other issues that seem alarming, then you need to have someone come out right away to see how serious the foundation problems really are and how to take care of them.